Creative Minds: Jereek Espiritu pushes his ideas to the edge of madness

Name: Jereek Espiritu

Place of origin: Manila, the Philippines

Places lived and worked: Manila, the Philippines and Singapore since 2022.

Pronouns: He/him

CV:

• Art director, BBH Singapore, Singapore (2022-present)
• Art director, Petch & Partners, Manila (2018-2022)
• Freelance Art Director: BBH, Mullenlowe, Dentsu Jayme Syfu, Manila and Singapore (2017 - 2018)

1. How did you end up being a creative?

When I was seven, our family PC broke down. A technician not only repaired the computer but installed a software that would change my childhood forever. He saw the drawings in my room and decided to install Photoshop. He told me I could turn my drawings into digital art. After hundreds of walkthroughs and tutorials, I created my first piece of work. I’ve been creating ever since!

2. What’s your favourite piece of work in your portfolio?

Nike Hyper Court is meaningful for many reasons. It is a marriage between basketball and pop culture, both of which are close to my heart. It’s a large-scale project giving back to my fellow Filipinos and my first big brand campaign. It ignited my passion for this industry. I offer gratitude to my creative director, Aste Gutierrez, who trusted me—a green, wildly curious kid—to take on this massive project and to Dillah Zakbah for guiding me every step of the way.

3. What’s your favourite piece of work created by someone else?

I am often drawn to work that is visceral and novel. ‘The Truth is Worth it’ for The New York Times by Droga5 is a great example. Everything about the campaign is flawless—the storytelling, the visuals, the writing, the idea, the insight, and the brand platform line.

4. What's on your bucket list?

I want to watch the GOAT, Stephen Curry, play before he retires. Realistically, I only have about four or five years to make this happen. Even better, I want to work with him on a project!

5. What career did you think you’d have when you were a kid?

My dad is a helicopter pilot, and growing up, he would bring me and my siblings to his workplace, which is a hangar. Throughout my childhood, I only wanted to fly a chopper or an aeroplane. But then, a computer technician changed the trajectory of my life.

6. How would your co-workers describe you?

I have been trying to push my ideas to the edge of madness with every assignment. Based on the reactions from my creative directors, I would like to think I am doing alright. For instance, "This feels too provocative for the clients. Let us present it as a wild idea." And "I hate that I love this idea so much because it will be tough to sell!”

7. Do you have any secret or odd talents?

I believe I can make a great impression of Goofy’s laugh. The key word is “believe.”

8. What’s your favourite music, film or TV show of the past year, and why?

Baby Reindeer. I went in expecting a light watch but was pulled into something dark and gripping. The fact that Richard Gadd lived, wrote, and performed it is just incredible.

9. Tell us about an artist (any medium) that we’ve never probably heard of.

I recently discovered Joshua Bonzo/@Wordisbonzo on YouTube. Some people are natural at storytelling visually, and Bonzo understands this. He just quit his job and is now going full-time on YouTube to make a feature film. I’m freaking excited to see what he will do. Watch out for him. 

10. What food can you not live without

I cannot live without eggs. They are versatile and nutrient-dense. What else can you ask for?

11. Early riser or night owl?

I'm an early riser because I love the quietness that morning brings.